Half to christina ohl and william d



J. CHRIST. FOLDING BED.

(No Model.)

No. 504,328. Patented Sept. 5, 1893.

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By lulsfAltomeys, m. @"amm K@ UNIT D I STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB CHRIST, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, OF ONE- HALFTO CHRISTINA OHL AND WILLIAM D. STEWART, OF NEW YORK,

FOLDING BED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 504,328, datedSeptember 5, 1893.

Application filed July 14, 1892. Serial No.439,966. (No model.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JACOB CHRIST, a citizen.

of the United States, residing in the city of Brooklyn, Kings county,New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in FoldingBeds, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to folding beds and similar folding articles.Heretofore such devices have been constructed with pivotal connectionsbetween the fixed case and the folding section and with counterbalancingweights and springs for counterweighting the folding section.

My invention aims to provide an improved folding bed which shall besimple and cheap of construction, in which the ordinary weights will notbe required, which will operate more easily than heretofore, and inwhich the counterbalancing of the folding section can be applied tosubstantially balance it in all its posi tions. To this end, in carryingout the preferred form of my invention I provide an improved pivotal orfolding connection between the fixed case and folding section, improvedcounterbalancing provisions, and certain structural features ofimprovement, all of which will be fully hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate certain adaptations of myinvention,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sec tion of a folding bedconstructed according to the preferred form of my invention, the foldingsection being shown in the unfolded position and partly broken away toshow the pivotal connection. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing thefolding section in the folded position. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary crosssection cut on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2.

Referring to drawings let A indicate the fixed case, B the foldingsection, and O the folding or pivotal connection between these parts.

The case A may be of any suitable or known construction. As shown itconsists of vertical side boards D, back E, rear cross piece F and frontcross piece G. As usual the sides D are disposed sufficiently apart toreceive between them the head end H of the folding section or bed B, thelatter folding partially within the fixed case when in the folded position and extending horizontally in front thereof when in the unfoldedposition.

The folding section or bed B may be of any suitable or usualconstruction. That shown consists of side boards I, top board J, legs K,pivoted thereto at the outer end, front or bottom board L and head boardN. As thus far described, the fixed and folding sections are of usualconstruction.

According to my invention I provide an improved folding or pivotalconnection between the fixed case and the folding section and I providean improved brake and counterbalancing provision for resisting amovement of and counterbalancing the weight of the folding sectionin itsvarious positions. Preferably my improved connection between the partsconsists of an improved construction of the usual reciprocal faces onthe respective parts constructed to abut at successive points as thesection is folded or unfolded relatively to the case, whereby thefulcrum point between the parts shifts during the folding operation.These abutting faces may be variously constructed and disposed ascircumstances may dictate. Preferably I provide in conjunction withthese abutting faces an improved spring or equivalent provisionconstructed to impart to the folding section a tension resisting itsunfolding movement. Preferably I provide an improved locking provisionfor preventing the separation of the case and section in order thattheir abutting faces may preserve the proper relative location duringthe folding operation. This locking provision may constitute a linkengaging the respective parts, and the counterbalancing spring maytransmit its tension through or against this link as desired. Preferablythe counterbalancing spring is connected to one or both the main partsof the bed by an improved movable connection adapted to vary the tensionof the spring in coincidence to the movement of the folding section.

I will now describe the preferred adaptation of my invention, referringto Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings. According to this construction Iemploy abutting faces N N, the one fixed to the side wall of the case A,and the other to the adjacent side wall of the section B. These facesare of substantially are shape having reciprocal outer edges adapted toengage with each other at successive'points during the movement of thefolding section relatively to the case. In this construction the faceshave substantiallyrectilinear portions 0. at one end and curved tooth orrack like portions 1) at the other end. The portions a are vertical andin engagement when the section B is in the closed position and theportions 1) when the section moves toward the open position, the extremeends of these portions being in engagementand extendingat an angle ofapproximately forty-five degrees at the full open position of thesection B. Preferably the one on the section is constructed with ashoulder 0 beyond its portion a, and the other with a reciprocal horn orshoulder d taking over the shoulder 0, whereby the weight of the foldingsection when in the closed position, is transmitted through its horn dand the shoulder 0 to the fixed section as seen in Fig. 2. In theconstruction shown the facesN N constitute the outer edges of plates 0O, which plates have projecting feet P P through the medium of whichthey are clamped, the one plate to the outer side of the wall of thefolding section, and the other plate to the inner side of the wall ofthe case A. These feet are preferably disposed to leave a slight spacebetween the inner side of the plate 0 and the adjacent wall to which itis attached, as best seen in Fig. 3. The faces N N being both convex,and disposed as shown, that on the case having vertical portion a atfront and extending thence downwardly and rearwardly and ending inportion b, and the other being the reverse, permits the section to moveinwardly against the case as it unfolds, and outward in advance of itsopen position as it folds up. Preferably the parts are connectedtogether by a link crossing constructed to preserve their faces N inproper relative position, and a counter-balancing spring is provided toreact against the weight of and resist movement of the folding section.In the construction shown this is accomplished by the link Q, consistingof side straps e e at each side of the plates 0 and end blocks ffbetween and pivotally connected to said straps by bolts g and shoes R Rare engaged by these links at their outer ends and enga ing the rearfaces of the plates 0 O, springs S S intervening between the links andshoes, as shown. The outer edges of the plates 0 O are preferablyconstructed as curved tracks h It, being nearest to the reciprocal facesN at the closed position opposite their portions a and extending thencegradually farther from the faces at their other ends, whereby theopposite sides of each plate are slightly wedge shaped. Preferably theshoes R are constructed with faces 2' at their inner edges adapted toride on the tracks of the plate. Preferably the shoes have guide ways jfor receiving the block 6: f of the link Q and recesses 7c for receivingthe springs S between the blocks and the inner portion of the shoes, andguide ways l at their sides for receiving the straps e of the link. Thesprings S preferably react against the inner edges of the blocks of thelink and the opposing surfaces of the shoes. Thus the opposite straps ofthe link embrace the opposite sides of the plates 0 O, of the shoes R Rand springs S S, maintaining the parts in position, and the shoes areprevented from tilting relative to the links by the guide ways lembracing the edges of the straps. When the parts are in the positionshown in Fig. 2 the shoes occupy the position of minimum separation. Asthe folding section is unfolded the upper ends of the tracks 71hseparate and the shoes ride 011 the tracks toward their other ends byreason of the arc shape of the tracks and the tension of the springs S Suntil when the section B is in the extreme open position, whereupon theshoes rest at the lower ends of the tracks, Where they occupy theposition of maximum separation, as seen in Fig. 1. Because of thegradually increasing distance between the track and the face N the shoesare gradually separated during the unfolding and thus the tension of thesprings S is gradually increased by reason of their greater compressionbetween the link and the shoes, thereby increasing the counter-weightingtension of the springs as well as their resistance to movement of thesection in coincidence with the movement of the folding section. Thetendency of the springs to counterweight the section is determined bythe extentof inclination of the tracks R R, while the resistance tomovement of the section is dependent upon the frictional engagementbetween the shoes and tracks. Preferably an auxiliary spring T isprovided, connected to the fixed case preferably at its cross bar F andreacting against the folding section to partially counter-balance it.Preferably it is connected to a prolongation or arm U, consisting of theouter end of one of the straps of the link Q, whereby itstension istransmitted through the link to the connection between the parts.

In operation as the folding section is moved, the faces N abut at thesuccessive points, the shoes R traverse their respective tracks, thelink Q retains the faces in proper relative position and the springs S,either alone or in conjunction with the spring T, counteract the weightof the folding section. There is sulficient frictional resistancebetween the shoes and track which constitute a friction brake topreserve the folding section in substantially all intermediate positionsat which it may be left, the tension of the spring being substantiallysufiicient at each position of the folding section to counter-balancethe latter because of its corresponding condensation due to theseparation of the tracks.

It will be seen that my invention provides an improved folding bed ofsimple, cheap and substantial construction which will be facile ofoperation and not liable to become impaired in use.

It will be understood that my invention is IIO not limited to theparticular details of construction and arrangement hereinbefore setforth as the preferred form of my invention, since it may be variouslyavailed of, as experience, circumstances or the j udgment of thoseskilled in the art, may dictate Without departing from its essentialfeatures. Preferably the plates 0 are constructed with opposing faces mat their lower ends which abut when the section B is in the extremeunfolded position and receive part of the strain at this point when thebed is in this position.

What I claim is the following-defined novel features and combinations,substantially as hereinbefore set forth, namely:

1. In folding beds or similar devices, a fixed case, and a foldingsection, in combination with a pivotal connection between said partsconsisting of arc shaped reciprocal faces fixed the one to said case andthe other to said section, that on said case having a substantiallyvertical upper forward portion and extending thence downwardly andrearwardly and terminating in a portion extending at an angle ofsubstantially forty five degrees, and that on said section having acontour the reverse of that on said case and disposed to contact at itslower end with the lower end of that on said case when in the openposition and at its upper end with the upper forward por tion of that onsaid case when in the closed position, said faces constructed to abut atsuccessive points during the folding of said section, and means formaintaining said faces in contact, whereby when in the folded positionsaid section occupies a position relatively to said case in advance ofthat occupied when in the open position.

2. In a folding bed or similar device, a fixed case and a foldingsection, in combination with a pivotal connection between said partsconsisting of reverse convex faces fixed the one to said case and theother tosaid section and constructed to contact at successive pointsduring the folding operation, and a track carried by one of said partsand engaged by the other of said parts and con structed to preserve saidfaces in contact dur ing the folding operation.

3. In a folding bed or similar device a fixed case and a folding sectionin combination with a pivotal connection between said parts consistingof reciprocal abutting faces constructed to abut at successive pointsduring the folding operation, tracks carried by said parts, a linkcrossing said faces and shoes carried by said links and engaging saidtracks for locking said parts together, and a spring or equivalentcounterbalancing provision.

4. In a folding bed or similar device, the fixed case and foldingsection, in combination with the pivotal connection between said parts,consisting of reciprocal faces N N, tracks as hh, links as Q Q crossingsaid faces, shoes carried by said links and engaging said tracks, and acounterbalancing spring acting against said folding section,substantially as and for the purpose set forth. I

5. A pivotal connection for folding beds or similar devices consistingof plates as O O havingreciprocal faces as N N, tracks as hh andshoulders as c d, said plates adapted the one for connection to one partof the bed the other to the other part thereof, in combination with alink as Q embracing said plates, shoes as R engaged by said link andengaging said tracks, and a spring as S interposed between said link andone of said shoes.

6. In a folding bed or similar device, afixed case and a foldingsection, in combination with a pivotal connection between said partsconsisting of plates as O O fixed one to said 'case and the other tosaid section, having abutting faces as N N, and tracks as h back of saidfaces, a link traversing said faces, and shoes engaging respectivelysaid tracks and constructed to preserve said faces in contact.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwosubscribing witnesses.

J AOOB CHRIST. Witnesses:

FREDERICK BLATT, GEORGE H. FRASER.

